Sheringham exclusive: I'd ditch JT from England team - King and Rio are the best pair

By Michael Calvin in Mirror Football Blog

Published 22:30 13/03/10

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Teddy Sheringham looked longingly at the World Cup, and decided John Terry is ill-equipped to help England win it.

The former England striker believes Fabio Capello must pair Ledley King with Rio ­Ferdinand in the opening Group C match against the USA in Rustenberg on June 12.

He’s making no moral judgement on Wayne Bridge’s decision to retire from international football.

He’s merely convinced that King, rather than Terry, will stabilise a defence which should feature Gary Neville and a fully fit Ashley Cole.

Sheringham insists Steven Gerrard must resume his most ­natural position, alongside Michael ­Carrick in central midfield at the expense of Frank Lampard.

The inspirational Wayne Rooney should be given time to build a partnership with Jermain Defoe.

“A fully fit Rio ­Ferdinand is a must if we are to win the Cup,” said Sheringham. “He and ­Ledley King are our best ­centre halves.

“John Terry is going through a sticky time at the moment. I would take Ledley, and play him alongside Rio.

“OK, he has done nothing to get us there. But who is going to remember that in 20 years time, if he provides the foundation of a winning team? The back four needs to stay strong. Gary Neville is the best right-back in England, and I expect Ashley Cole to come flying back.

“We have outstanding players. Steven Gerrard is in the top four or five in the world.

“He has to play in his best position. You don’t see Messi at right-back, or Kaka on the left wing. If you give Gerrard the right role, he will ­perform.

“Michael Carrick has a big part to play. There’s a good balance to his partnership with Gerrard.

“One is deep lying, the other naturally attacking. They feed off each other.

“I’d only want ­Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the same team if we need to flood the midfield, ­perhaps against one of the better sides, like Brazil, later in the competition.

“Some players reach their peak at 27, 28, or 29. Wayne ­Rooney is coming to his peak right now.

“He’s like a young boxer who’s been sparring for the last couple of years.

“He’s learned so much playing against top defenders. He’s ready to take on the best and beat them.

“Let’s just unleash him. He will lead.

“I used to love playing with Roy Keane, who would run people over and snarl in their faces. His aggression would get me going.

“Rooney’s got the same ­influence on team-mates. He’s up there with Messi and Ronaldo as the best player in the world.

“Jermain Defoe has his ability to score a goal out of nothing. If you’ve got two natural finishers in and around the opposition box, the odds improve.

“The difference between reaching the quarter-final and winning the big prize can be about believing in one another. It’s an unspoken thing.

“You sit in the dressing room, look to the right, and think to yourself, ‘What a player’.

“You look to the left and see someone prepared to die for you. When that happens, people dig deep.

“Winning the World Cup is a massive ask. On current form, you’d have to go for Spain.

“But England are in the mix.

“There is still time to do our ­learning, and ­develop the team ethic a ­successful tournament side needs.”

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